第15章

CHAPTERX——CLIP-PROMISE

’……thepromisemadeofnoneeffect。’——PaulTowardtheendofthethirteenthcenturyEdwardtheFirst，theEnglishJustinian，broughtaselectcolonyofartistsfromItalytoEnglandandgavethemacommissiontoexecutetheirbestcoinagefortheEnglishMint。Deftandskilfulasthoseartistswere，theworktheyturnedoutwasbutrudeandclumsycomparedwithsomeofthegoldandsilverandcoppercoinsofourday。TheFlorentineartiststookasheetofgoldorofsilveranddividedthesheetupwithgreatscissors，andthentheyhammeredthecut-outpiecesasonlyaFlorentinehammermancouldhammerthem。But，workingwithsuchtools，andworkingonsuchmethods，thosegoldsmithsandsilversmiths，withalltheirart，founditimpossibletogiveanabsolutelyequalweightandworthtoeverypieceofmoneythattheyturnedout。Foronething，theircutandhammeredcoinshadnocarvedrimsroundtheiredgesasallourgoldandsilverandevencoppercoinagenowhas。And，accordingly，thecleverroguesofthatdaysoondiscoveredthatitwasfareasierforthemtotakeupapairofshearsandtoclipasliverofsilverofftheroughrimofashilling，orashavingofgoldoffasovereign，thanitwastotakeoftheircoatsandworkahardday’swork。Tilltoclipthecoinoftherealmsoonbecameoneoftheeasiestandmostprofitablekindsofcrime。InthetimeofElizabethagreatimprovementwasmadeinthewayofcoiningthepublicmoney；butitwassoonfoundthatthishadonlymademattersworse。Fornow，sidebysidewithapureandunimpairedandfull-valuedcurrency，andmingledupeverywherewithit，therewastheold，clipped，debased，andfartoolightgoldandsilvermoney；tilltroublesaroseinconnectionwiththecoinageandcirculationofthecountrythatcanonlybetoldbyMacaulay’sextraordinarilygraphicpen。

’Itmaywellbedoubted，’Macaulaysays，inthetwenty-firstchapterofhisHistoryofEngland，’whetherallthemiserywhichhasbeeninflictedontheEnglishnationinaquarterofacenturybybadKings，badMinisters，badParliaments，andbadJudgeswasequaltothemiserycausedinasingleyearbybadcrownsandbadshillings。WhetherWhigsorTories，ProtestantsorPapistswereuppermost，thegrazierdrovehisbeaststomarket，thegrocerweighedouthiscurrants，thedrapermeasuredouthisbroadcloth，thehumofbuyersandsellerswasasloudaseverinthetowns；thecreamoverflowedthepailsofCheshire；theapplejuicefoamedinthepressesofHerefordshire；thepilesofcrockeryglowedinthefurnacesoftheTrent，andthebarrowsofcoalrolledfastalongthetimberrailwaysoftheTyne。Butwhenthegreatinstrumentofexchangebecamethoroughlyderangedalltradeandallindustryweresmittenaswithapalsy。Nothingcouldbepurchasedwithoutadispute。Overeverycountertherewaswranglingfrommorningtonight。TheemployerandhisworkmenhadaquarrelasregularlyasSaturdaynightcameround。Onafairdayoramarketdaytheclamours，thedisputes，thereproaches，thetaunts，thecurses，wereincessant。Nomerchantwouldcontracttodelivergoodswithoutmakingsomestipulationaboutthequalityofthecoininwhichhewastobepaid。Thepriceofthenecessariesoflife，ofshoes，ofale，ofoatmeal，rosefast。Thebitofmetalcalledashillingthelabourerfoundwouldnotgosofarassixpence。OnedayTonsonsendsfortybrassshillingstoDryden，tosaynothingofclippedmoney。Thegreatpoetsendsthemallbackanddemandsintheirplacegoodguineas。”Iexpect，”hesays，”goodsilver，notsuchasIhadformerly。”Meanwhile，ateverysessionoftheOldBaileythemostterribleexampleofcoinersandclipperswasmade。

Hurdles，withfour，five，sixwretchesconvictedofcounterfeitingormutilatingthemoneyoftherealm，weredraggedmonthaftermonthupHolbornHill。’ButIcannotcopythewholechapter，wonderfulasthewritingis。Sufficeittosaythatbeforetheclipperscouldberootedout，andconfidencerestoredbetweenbuyerandseller，thegreateststatesmen，thegreatestfinanciers，andthegreatestphilosopherswereallattheirwits’end。Kings’

speeches，cabinetcouncils，billsofParliament，andshowersofpamphletswereallfullinthosedaysoftheclipperandthecoiner。AllJohnLocke’sgreatintellectcameshortofgrapplingsuccessfullywiththeterriblecrisistheclipperofthecoinhadbroughtuponEngland。Carryallthat，then，overintothelifeofpersonalreligion，afterthemannerofourLord’sparables，andafterthemannerofthePilgrim’sProgressandtheHolyWar，andyouwillseewhatanableandimpressiveuseJohnBunyanwillmakeoftheshearsofthecoin-clippersofhisday。MacaulayhasbutmadeusreadytoopenandunderstandBunyan。’Afterthis，myLordapprehendedClip-Promise。Now，becausehewasanotoriousvillain，forbyhisdoingsmuchoftheking’scoinwasabused，thereforehewasmadeapublicexample。Hewasarraignedandjudgedtobesetfirstinthepillory，thentobewhippedbyallthechildrenandservantsinMansoul，andthentobehangedtillhewasdead。Somemaywonderattheseverityofthisman’spunishment，butthosethatarehonesttradersinMansoultheyaresensibleofthegreatabusethatoneclipperofpromisesinlittletimemaydointhetownofMansoul；and，truly，myjudgmentisthatallthoseofhisnameandlifeshouldbeservedoutevenashe。’

ThegraceofGodislikeabullionmassofpurestgold，andthenJesusChrististhegreatingotofthatgold，andthenMoses，andDavid，andIsaiah，andHosea，andPaul，andPeter，andJohnaretheinspiredartistswhohavecommissiontotakebothbullionandingot，andoutofthemtocut，andbeat，andsmelt，andshape，andstamp，andsuperscribethepromises，andthentoissuethepromisestopasscurrentinthemarketofsalvationlikesomanyshekels，andpounds，andpence，andfarthings，andmites，asthecasemaybe。Anditwasjusttheseroyalcoins，imagedandsuperscribedsorichlyandsobeautifully，thatClip-Promisesomutilated，abused，anddebased，tillfordoingsohewashangedbythenecktillhewasdead。

1。TheveryhouseofIsraelherself，theveryMint-house，TowerHill，andLombardStreetofIsraelherself，wasfulloffalsecoinersandclippersofthepromises；asfullaseverEnglandwasatherveryworst。IsraelclippedherMessianicpromisesandlivedupontheclippingsinsteadofuponthecoin。HercomingChrist，andHissalvationalreadybegun，werethetruespiritualcurrencyofOldTestamenttimes；whileroundthatcentralImageofhergreatpromisethererananoutsiderimoflesserpromisesthatalltooktheirtrueandtheironlyvaluefromHimwhoseimageandsuperscriptionstoodwithin。ButthosebesottedandinfatuatedmenofIsrael，insteadofenteringintoandlivingbythegreatspiritualpromisesgiventothemintheirMessiah，madelands，andhouses，andmeat，anddrink，alltheMessiahtheycaredfor。

MatthewHenrysaysthatwhenwegotothemerchanttobuygoods，hegivesusthepaperandthepack-threadtothebargain。Well，thosechildrenandfoolsinIsraelactuallythrewawaythegoodsandhoardedandboastedoverthepaperandthepack-thread。OuroldScottishlawyershavemadeusfamiliarwiththedistinctioninthechurchbetweenspiritualiaandtemporalia。Well，theJewsletthespiritualiagotothosewhocaredtotakesuchthings，whiletheyheldfasttothetemporalia。AndallthatwentontillHisdiscipleshadtheeffronterytoclipandcoinunderourLord’sveryeyes，andeventoaskHimtoholdthecoinwhiletheysharpenedtheirshears。’Ofaithlessandperversegeneration！HowlongshallIbewithyou？HowlongshallIsufferyou？HaveIbeensolongwithyou，andyethastthounotknownMe，Philip？Ofools，andslowofhearttobelieveallthattheprophetshavespoken！

AndbeginningatMosesandalltheprophetsHeexpoundedtotheminalltheScripturesthethingsconcerningHimself。’

2。Butthosewholiveinglasshousesmusttakecarenottothrowstones。AndthusthegreatestfoolinIsraelissafefromyouandme。For，likethem，andjustasifwehadneverreadonewordaboutthem，webendourheartsandourchildren’sheartstothingsseenandtemporal，andthen，afterthingsseenandtemporalhaveallcastusoff，webegintoaskifthereisanysolaceorsweetnessforacast-offheartinthingsunseenandeternal。TherearegreatgapscliptoutofourBiblesthatnotGodHimselfcaneverprintorpasteinagain。LookandseeifhalftheBookofProverbs，forinstance，withallitsnoblepromisestoagodlyyouth，isnotcliptcleanoutofyourdismemberedBible。Thatfineleafalso，’Myson，giveMethineheart，’iscleangoneoutofthetwenty-thirdchapteroftheProverbsyearsandyearsago。AsisthebestpartofthenobleBookofDaniel，andalmostthewholeofSecondTimothy。’SeekyefirsttheKingdomofGodandHisrighteousness，andmeatanddrink，andwifeandchildshallbeaddeduntoyou。’YoursuicidalshearshavecutthatgoldenpromiseforeveroutofyourSermonontheMount。Somuchsothatifanyorallofthesetemporalmerciesevercometoyou，theywillcomeofpureandundeservedmercy，forthetimehaslongpassedwhenyoucouldpleadanypromiseforthem。Still，therearetwomostexcellentuseslefttowhichyoucanevenyetputyourmangledanddismemberedBible。Youcanmakeasplendiduseofitsgapsandofitsgashes，andofthosewasteplaceswheregreatpromisesatonetimestood。Youcanmakeagranduseevenofthosegapsifyouwilldescendintothemanddrawoutofthemhumiliationandrepentance，compunction，contrition，andresignation。Andthisusealso:Whenyouaremovedtotakesomemanwhoisstillyoungintoyourconfidence，askhimtoletyouseehisBibleandthenlethimseeyours，andpointouttohimtherentsandwoundsandwildernessplacesinyours。Andthus，bythesetwousesofaclipped-upandhalf-emptyBible，youmaymakegainsthatshallyetsetyouabovethosewhoseBiblesofpromisesarestillasfreshaswhentheycamefromGod’sownhand。AndSamsonsaid，Iwillnowputforthariddleuntoyou:Outoftheeatercameforthmeat，andoutofthestrongcameforthsweetness。

3。’Goout，’saidtheLordofMansoul，’andapprehendClip-Promiseandbringhimbeforeme。’Andtheydidso。’GodowntoEdinburghto-night，andgotothedoorofsuchandsuchachurch，and，ashecomesoutarrestClip-the-Commandments，forhehasheardMywordallthisdayagainbutwillnotdoit。’WherewouldyoubebymidnightifGodroseupinangerandsworeatthismomentthatyourdisobedienttimeshouldbenolonger？Youwouldbespeechlessbeforesuchacharge，fortheshearsareinyourpocketatthismomentwithwhichyouhaveclippedtopiecesthisSabbath-day:

shearsredwiththebloodoftheFourthCommandment。For，whendidyouriseoffyourbedthisresurrectionmorning？Andwhatdidyoudowhenyoudidrise？WhathasyourreadingandyourconversationbeenthiswholeLord’sday？HowfullyourheartwouldhavebeenoffaithandloveandholinessbythistimeofnighthadyounotdespisedtheLordoftheSabbath，andcastallHiscommandmentsandopportunitiestoyoubehindyourback？WhatprivateexercisehaveyouhadalldaywithyourFatherwhoseesinsecret？Howoftenhaveyoubeenonyourknees，andwhere，andhowlong，andforwhat，andforwhom？Whatworkofmercyhaveyoudoneto-day，ordeterminedtodoto-morrow？Andsowithallthedivinecommandments:MosaicandChristian，legalandevangelical。Suchas:AtenthofallIhavegiventothee；acovenantwithawanderingeye；amouthoncespeakingevil，isitnowwellwatched？

notonevesselonly，butallthevesselsofthybodysanctifiedtilleverythoughtandimaginationiswellundertheobedienceofChrist。LestHisangerforallthatbegintoburnto-night，makeyourbedwithEliandSamuelinHissanctuaryto-night，lesttheavengerofthebloodofthecommandmentsleapoutonyouinyoursleep！

4。TheOldSerpenttookwithhimthegreatshearsofhell，andclipped’Thoushaltsurelydie’outofthesecondchapterofGenesis。AndthesameenemyofmankindwillclipalltheterroroftheLordoutofyourheartto-nightagain，ifhecan。Andhewilldoitinthisway，ifhecan。Hewillhavesomeoneatthechurchdoorreadyandwaitingforyou。Assoonastheblessingispronounced，someonewilltakeyoubythearmandwillentertainyouwiththetalkyoulove，orthatyouonceloved，tillyouwillbeashamedtoconfessthatthereisanyterrororturningtoGodinyourheart。No！Thoushaltnotsurelydie，saystheserpentstill。Why，hastthounottrampledSabbathsandsermonspastcountingunderthyfeet？Whatcommandment，laidonbodyorsoul，hastthounotbroken，andthouartstilladdingdrunkennesstothirst，andGoddothnotknow！’Thewomansaiduntotheserpent，Wemaynoteatofit，neithermaywetouchit，lestwedie。Andtheserpentsaiduntothewoman，Yeshallnotsurelydie。’

5。YoumustallhaveheardofClito，whousedtosaythathedesirednomoretimeforrisinganddressingandsayinghisprayersthanaboutaquarterofanhour。Well，thatwasclippingthethingprettyclose，wasn’tit？Atthesametimeitmustbeadmittedthatagooddealofprayermaybegotthroughinaquarterofanhourifyoudonotloseanymomentofit。Especiallyinthefirstquarteroftheday，ifyouareexpeditiousenoughtobegintopraybeforeyouevenbegintodress。Andprayerisreallyaverystrangeexperience。Therearethingsaboutprayerthatnomanhasyetfullyfoundoutortoldtoany。Foronething，oncewellbeganitgrowsuponamaninamostextraordinaryandunheard-ofway。ThissameClitoforinstance，sometimeafterwefindhimathisprayersbeforehiseyesareopen；andthenhekeepsallmorningmakinghisbath，hissoap，histowels，hisbrushes，andhisclothesallonelongartificeofprayer。Andthattillthereisnotasinglepieceofhisdressing-roomfurniturethatisnotreadytoswearatthelastdaythatitsmasterlongbeforehediedhadbecomeamanfullofsecretprayer。Thereisafountainfilledwithblood！heexclaims，ashethrowshimselfintohisbath；andJeremiahsecondandtwenty-secondheusesregularlytorepeattohimselfhalfadozentimesadayashewashesthesmokeanddustofthecityoffhishandsandface。AndthenRevelationthirdandeighteenthtillhistoiletiscompleted。Nay，thissameClitohascometobesuchadevoteetothathehadatonetimebeensoexpeditiouswith，thatIhaveseenhimforgethimselfonthestreetandthinkthathisdoorwasshut。ButthereisreallynousetellingyouallthataboutClito。For，tillyoutrycloset-prayerforyourself，allthatGodormancansaytoyouonthatsubjectwillbewaterspiltontheground。Allwecansayis，Tryit。Beginit。Somedesperatedaytryit。Stopwhenyouareonthewaytothepondandtryit。Stopwhenyouarefasteninguptheropeandtryit。Whenthepoisonismovinginthecup，stop，shutyourdoorfirst。TryGodfirst。SeeifHeisstillwaiting。And，alwaysafter，whenthesteelshearsofatooearly，toocrowded，andfartooexactingdayareclippingyououtofalltimeforprayer，thenwhatshouldyoudo？Whatdoyoudowhenyousimplycannotgetyourproperfreshairandexerciseeveryday？Doyounotfallbackontheplasticityandpliabilityofnatureandtakeyourairandexerciseinlargeparcels？Youtakearideintothecountrytwoorthreetimesaweek。Or，twoafternoonsaweekyouhavetenmilesaloneifyoucannotgetagodlyfriend。Andthentwoorthreetimesayear，ifyoucanaffordit，youclimbanAlporaGrampianeverydayforaweekoramonth；and，sograciousandsoadaptableishumannature，that，whatothersgetdaily，yougetweekly，ormonthly，orquarterly，oryearly。And，thoughasoulisnottobetoomuchpresumedupon，Clitocametotellhisfriendsthathissoulcouldonoccasiontakeinprayerandpraiseenoughforaweekinasinglemorningorafternoon，and，almost，forawholeyearinagoodholiday。AsChristHimselfdidwhenHesaid:Comeawayapartintoadesertplaceandrestawhile；fortherearesomanypeoplecomingandgoingherethatwehavenotimesomuchastoeat。

6。ButIseeImustclipoffmylastpointwithyou，whichwastotellyouwhatyoualreadyknowonlytoowell，andthatis，whatterribleshearsabadconscienceisarmedwith，andwhathavocshemakesatallagesofapoorsinner’sBible。Butyoucansparethathead。Youcanpreachonthattexttoyourselvesfarbetterthanallyourministers。Only，takehomewithyouthesetwolinesI

haveclippedoutofFraserofBreaforyou。Nothinginman，hesaystous，istobeagroundofdespair，sincethewholegroundofallourhopeisinChristalone。Christ’srelationisalwaystomenastheyaresinnersandnotastheyarerighteous。Icamenottocalltherighteous，butsinnerstorepentance。’Tiswithsinners，then，Christhastodo。Nothingdamnsbutunbelief；andunbeliefisjustholdingbackfrompressingGodwiththispromise，thatChristcametosavesinners。Thisisafaithfulsaying，andworthyofallacceptation，anditisstilltobefoundstandinginthemostclipped-upBible，thatChristJesuscameintotheworldtosavesinners；ofwhomIamchief。

CHAPTERXI——STIFFMR。LOTH-TO-STOOP

’Thyneckisanironsinew。’——JehovahtothehouseofJacob。

’KingZedekiahhumblednothimself，butstiffenedhisneck。’——TheChronicles。

’Hehumbledhimself。’——PaulonourLord。

AllJohnBunyan’sCharacters，Situations，andEpisodesarecollectedintothishouseto-night。ObstinateandPliablearehere；PassionandPatience；Simple，Sloth，andPresumption；MadameBubbleandMr。Worldly-wiseman；TalkativeandBy-ends；DeafMr。

Prejudiceisherealso，and，sittingclosebesidehim，stiffMr。

Loth-to-stoop；whilegoodoldMr。Wet-eyesandyoungCaptainSelf-

denialarenotwhollywanting。Itgivesthishouseanimmenseandanever-greeninteresttometoseecharacteraftercharactercomingtroopingin，SabbatheveningafterSabbathevening，eachmantoseehimselfandhisneighbourinJohnBunyan’ssotruthfulandsofearlessglass。Butitstabsmetotheheartwithamortalstabtoseehowfewofusoutofthisweeklycongregationareanybettermenafterallwecometoseeandtohear。Atthesametime，suchaconstantdroppingwillsurelyintimewearawaythehardestrock。

Letthatsostiffoldman，then，stiffoldMr。Loth-to-stoop，cameforwardandbeholdhisnaturalfaceinJohnBunyan’sglassagainto-night。’Lord，isitI？’wasaverygoodquestion，thoughputbyaverybadman。Letus，oneandall，then，putthetraitor’squestiontoourselvesto-night。AmIstiffoldLoth-to-stoop？——leteverymaninthishousesaytohimselfallthroughthisservice，andthenathomewhenreviewingtheday，andthenallto-morrowwhentostoopwillbesoloathsomeandsoimpossibletousall。

1。Tobegin，then，attheverybottomofthiswholematter，takestiffoldLoth-to-stoopasaguiltysinnerinthesightofGod。

Letustakethisstiffoldmaninthisdreadfulcharactertobeginwith，becauseitisinthisdeepestandmostdreadfulaspectofhisnatureandhischaracterthatheisintroducedtousintheHolyWar。AndIshallstandasideandletJohnBunyanhimselfdescribeLoth-to-stoopinthematterofhisjustificationbeforeGod。’Thatisagreatstoopforasinnertohavetotake，’saysourapostolicauthorinanotherclassicalplace，’atoogreatstooptohavetosufferthetotallossofallhisownrighteousness，and，actually，tohavetolooktoanotherforabsolutelyeverythingofthatkind。

Thatisnoeasymatterforanymantodo。Iassureyouitstretcheseveryveininhisheartbeforehewillbebroughttoyieldtothat。What！foramantodeny，reject，abhor，andthrowawayallhisprayers，tears，alms，keepingofSabbaths，hearing，reading，andalltherest，andtoadmitbothhimselfandthemtobeabominableandaccursed，andtobewillingintheverymidstofhissinstothrowhimselfwhollyupontherighteousnessandobedienceofanotherman！Isaytodothatindeedandintruthisthebiggestpieceofthecross，andthereforeitisthatPaulcallsitasuffering。”IhavesufferedthelossofallthingsthatImightwinChrist，andbefoundinHim，nothavingmineownrighteousness。”’ThatisJohnBunyan’scharacteristiccommentonstiffoldLoth-to-stoopasaguiltysinner，withtheofferofafullforgivenesssetbeforehim。

2。AndthenoursotruthfulandsofertileauthorgoesontogiveusLoth-to-stoopasahalf-savedsinner；asinner，thatis，tryingtomakehisowntermswithGodabouthisfullsalvation。ThroughthreemostpowerfulpagesweseestiffoldLoth-to-stoopengagedinbeatingdownGod’sunalterabletermsofsalvation，andinbiddingforhisfullsalvationuponhisownreducedandeasyterms。ItwasthetremendousstoopoftheSonofGodfromthethroneofGodtothecradleandthecarpenter’sshop；andthen，asifthatwerenotenough，itwasthatothertremendousstoopofHisdowntotheGardenandtheCross，——itwasthesetwosotremendousstoopsofJesusChristthatmadestiffoldLoth-to-stoop’ssalvationevenpossible。But，withallthat，histruesalvationwasnotpossiblewithoutstoopafterstoopofhisown；stoopafterstoopwhich，ifnotsotremendousasthoseofChrist，wereyettremendousenough，andtootremendous，forhim。OldLoth-to-stoopcarriesonalongandabolddebatewithEmmanuelinordertolessenthestoopthatEmmanueldemandsofhim；andyourownlifeandmine，mybrethren，attheirdeepestandattheirclosesttoourownheart，arereallyatbottom，likeLoth-to-stoop’slife，onelongroupofsalvation，inwhichGodtriestogetusuptoHistermsandinwhichwetrytogetHimdowntoourterms。Histermsare，thatweshallsellabsolutelyallthatwehaveforthesalvationofoursouls；andourtermsare，salvationornosalvation，tokeepallthatwehaveandtoseekeverydayformore。Godabsolutelydemandsthatweshallstooptotheverydusteveryday，tillwebecomethepoorest，themeanest，themostdespicable，andthemosthopelessofmen；whereaswemeetthatdivinedemandwiththeproudreply——IsThyservantadog？ItwaswiththisoffendedmindthatstiffoldLoth-to-stoopatlastleftofffromEmmanuel’spresence；hewoulddieratherthancomedowntosuchdegradingterms。AndasLoth-to-stoopwentaway，Emmanuellookedafterhim，wellrememberingtheterriblenightwhenHeHimselfwas，notindeedlikeLoth-to-stoop，nornearlikehim，butwhenHisownlaststoopwassodeepthatitmadeHimcryout，Father，saveMefromthishour！andagain，IfitbepossibleletthissotremendousstooppassfromMe。ForamomentEmmanuelHimselfwaslothtostoop，butonlyforamoment。ForHesoonrosefromoffHisfaceinabathofblood，saying，NotMywill，butThinebedone！WhenThomasAKempisisnegotiatingwiththeLoth-

to-stoopsofhisunevangelicalday，wehearhimsayingtothemthingslikethis:’JesusChristwasdespisedofmen，forsakenofHisfriendsandlovers，andinthemidstofslanders。Hewaswilling，underHisFather’swill，tosufferandtobedespised，anddarestthoutocomplainofanyman’susageofthee？Christ，thyMaster，hadenemiesandback-biters，anddostthouexpecttohaveallmentobethyfriendsandbenefactors？Whenceshallthypatienceattainherpromisedcrownifnoadversitybefallthee？

SufferthouwithJesusChrist，andforHissake，ifthouwouldstreignwithHim。Setthyself，therefore，tobearmanfullythecrossofthyLord，who，outoflove，wascrucifiedforthee。Knowforcertainthatthoumustleadadailydyinglife。AndthemorethatthoudiesttothyselfallthatthemoreshaltthouliveuntoGod。’

WithmanysuchwordsasthesedidThomasteachthesaintsofhisdaytostooptotheirdailycross；adailycrossthen，whichhasnowbeenforlongtohimandtothemaneverlastingcrown。

3。AndspeakingofAKempis，andhavinglatelyreadsomeofhismostappositechapters，suchasthatontheHolyFathersandthatonObedienceandSubjection，leadsmeontolookatLoth-to-stoopwhenheentersthesacredministry，ashesometimesdoes。Whenahalf-converted，half-subdued，half-savedsinnergetshimselfcalledtothesacredministryhisofficewilleithergreatlyhastenonhissalvation，orelseitwillgreatlyhinderandendangerit。Hewilleitherstoopdowneverydaytodeeperandeverdeeperdepthsofhumility，orhewilltowerupinprideofofficeandinprideofheartpastallhopeofhumility，andthusofsalvation。Theholyministryisagreatnursing-houseofprideasweseeinalonglineofpopes，andprelates，andpriests，andotherlordsoverGod’sheritage。AndourownPresbyterianpolity，whileithandsdowntousthesimplicity，theunity，thebrotherhood，andthehumilityoftheapostolicage，atthesametimeleavesplentyoftemptationandplentyofopportunityfortheprideofthehumanheart。Ourpreachingandpastoraloffice，whenitisarightlaidtoourhearts，willalwaysmakeusthemeekestandthehumblestofmen，evenwhenwecarrythemostmagnificentofmessages。Butwhenourownheartsarenotrighttheverymagnificenceofourmessage，andtheveryauthorityofourMaster，becomeallsomanysubtletemptationstopride，pique，self-importance，andlothness-to-

stoop。Withsomuchstilltolearn，howslowweministersaretostooptolearn！Howstillwestand，andevengoback，whenallothermenaregoingforward！HowfewofushavemadethenobleresolutionofJonathanEdwards:’Resolved，’hewrote，’that，asoldmenhaveseldomanyadvantageofnewdiscoveriesbecausethesearebesideawayofthinkingtheyhavebeenlongusedto:

resolved，therefore，ifeverIlivetoyears，thatIshallbeimpartialtohearthereasonsofallpretendeddiscoveries，andtoreceivethem，ifrationalhowlongsoeverIhavebeenusedtoanotherwayofthinking。’Letallministers，then，youngandold，resolvetostoopwithJonathanEdwards，whoshines，inhislifeandinhisworks，likethecherubimwithknowledge，andburnsliketheseraphimwithlove。

Andthen，when，nothavingsoresolved，ourthinveinofyouthfulknowledgeandexperiencehasbeenworkedtotherock；whengreyhairsarehereandthereuponus，howslowwearetostooptothat！

Howunwillingwearetoletitlightonourheartsthatourtimeispast；thatwearenolongerabletounderstand，orinterest，orattracttheyoung；and，besides，thatthatisnotalltheirblame，no，norourseither，butsimplytheorderandmethodofDivineProvidence。HowslowwearetoseethatDivineProvidencehasothermenstandingreadytotakeupourworkifwewouldonlyhumblylayitdown；——howlothwearetostooptoseeallthat！Howunwillingwearetomakeupourminds，weoldandageingministers，andtohumbleourheartstoacceptanassistantortosubmittoacolleaguetostandalongsideofusinourunaccomplishedwork！

4。Inpubliclifealso，aswecallit，whatdisasterstothestate，totheservices，andtosociety，areconstantlycausedbythissameLoth-to-stoop！Whenheholdsanypublicoffice；whenhebecomestheleaderofaparty；whenheispromotedtobeanadviseroftheCrown；whenheisputattheheadofafleetofships，orofanarmyofmen，whatuntoldevilsdoesLoth-to-stoopbringbothonhimselfandonthenation！Anoldstatesmanwillhavecommittedhimselftosomelineoflegislationorofadministration；agreatcaptainwillhavecommittedhimselftosomemanoeuvreofasquadronorofadivision，ortosomeplanofbattle，andsomesubordinatewillhavediscoveredtheerrorhisleaderhasmade，andwillbeboldtopointitouttohim。ButstiffoldLoth-to-stoophastakenhislineandhaspassedhisword。Hishonour，asheholdsit，iscommittedtothisannouncedlineofaction；and，iftheCrownitselfshouldperishbeforehispolicy，hewillnotstooptochangeit。Howoftenyouseethatingreataffairsaswellasinsmall。

Howseldomyouseeapublicmanopenlyconfessingthathehashithertoallalongbeenwrong，andthathehasatlastandbyothersbeensetright。Notonceinageneration。Buteventhatonceredeemspubliclife；itennoblespubliclife；anditsavesthenationandthesovereignwhopossesssuchatruepatriot。

Consistencyandcourage，independenceanddignity，arehigh-

soundingwords；butopennessofmind，teachableness，diffidence，andhumilityalwaysgowithtruenobilityaswellaswithultimatesuccessandlastinghonour。

CHAPTERXII——THATVARLETILL-PAUSE，THEDEVIL’SORATOR

’Imadehasteanddelayednot。’——David。

JohnBunyanshallhimselfintroduce，describe，andcharacterisethisvarlet，thisdevil’sallyandaccomplice，thisancientenemyofMansoul，whosenameisIll-pause。Well，thissameIll-pause，saysourauthor，wastheoratorofDiabolusonalldifficultoccasions，nortookDiabolusanyotheronewithhimondifficultoccasions，butjustIll-pausealone。AndalwayswhenDiabolushadanyspecialplota-footagainstMansoul，andwhenthethingwentasDiaboluswouldhaveitgo，thenwouldIll-pausestandup，forhewasDiabolushisorator。WhenMansoulwasundersiegeofEmmanuelhisfournoblecaptainssentamessagetothemenofthetownthatiftheywouldonlythrowIll-pauseoverthewalltothem，thattheymightrewardhimaccordingtohisworks，thentheywouldholdaparleywiththecity；butifthisvarletwastobeletliveinthecity，then，why，thecitymustseetotheconsequences。AtwhichDiabolus，whowastherepresent，waslothtolosehisorator，because，hadthefourcaptainsoncelaidtheirfingersonIll-

pause，besurehismasterhadlosthisorator。And，then，inthelastassault，wereadthatIll-pause，theoratorthatcamealongwithDiabolus，healsoreceivedagrievouswoundinthehead，somesaythathisbrain-panwascracked。This，atanyrate，Ihavetakennoticeof，thatneverafterthiswasheabletodothatmischieftoMansoulashehaddoneintimespast。AndthentherewasalsoatEye-gatethatIll-pauseofwhomyouhaveheardbefore。

ThesamewashethatwasoratortoDiabolus。HedidmuchmischieftothetownofMansoul，tillatlasthefellbythehandoftheCaptainGood-hope。

1。Well，tobeginwith，thisIll-pausewasafilthyDiabolonianvarlet；atreacherousandavillainousoldvarlet，theauthoroftheHolyWarcallshim。Now，whatisavarlet？Well，avarletisjustabroken-downoldvalet。Avarletisavaletwhohascomedown，anddown，anddown，anddownagainintheworld，till，fromoncehavingbeentheservantandthetrustyfriendoftheverybestofmasters，hehascometobetheallyandaccompliceoftheveryworstofmasters。Hisfirstname，thenameofhisfirstoffice，stillstickstohim，indeed；but，likehimself，andwithhimself，hisnamehasbecomedepravedandcorruptedtillyouwouldnotknowit。Avarlet，then，isjustshortandsharpforascoundrelwhoisreadyforanything；andtheworsethethingisthemorereadyheisforit。Thereareriff-raffandrefusealwaysaboutwhoarereadytovolunteerforanyfilibusteringexpedition；andthatfullasmuchforthesheerdevilryoftheenterpriseasforanyrealprofititistobetothemselves。Wherevermischiefistobedone，thereyourtruevarletissuretoturnup。Well，justsuchaland-sharkwasthisIll-pause，whowassuchanallyandaccomplicetoDiabolusthathehadneedfornoother。Whatpossiblecertificateinevilcouldexceedthis——thatthedeviltooknotanywithhimwhenhewentoutonhisworsterrandbutthissameIll-pause，whowashisoratoronallhismostdifficultoccasions？

2。Ill-pausewasavarlet，then，andhewasalsoanorator。Now，anorator，asyouknow，isagreatspeaker。Anoratorisamanwhohastheexcellentandinfluentialgiftofpublicspeech。Andongreatoccasionsinpubliclifewhenpeoplearetobeinstructed，andimpressed，andmoved，andwonover，thenthegreatoratorsetsuphisplatform。QuintilianteachesusinhisInstitutesthatitisonlyagoodmanwhocanbeareallygreatorator。WhatwouldthatfinewriterhavesaidhadhelivedtoreadtheHolyWar，andseenthemostsuccessfulofalloratorsthateveropenedamouth，andwhowasallthetimeadiabolicaloldvarlet？WhatwouldtheauthorofTheEducationofanOratorhavesaidtothat？DiabolusdidnotoneveryoccasionbringuphisgreatoratorIll-pause。Hedidnotalwayscomeuphimself，andhedidnotalwayssendupIll-

pause。ItwasonlyondifficultoccasionsthatbothDiabolusandhisoratoralsocameup。YoudonothearyourgreatpreacherseverySabbath。Theywouldnotlongremaingreatpreachers，andyouwouldsoonceasetopayanyattentiontothem，iftheywerealwaysinthepulpit。Neitherdoyouhaveyourgreatoratorsateverystreetcorner。Theirmastersonlybuildtheatresforthemwhensomegreatoccasionarisesintheland，andwhenthebestwisdommuststraightwaybespokentothepeopleandinthebestway。ThenyoubringupQuintilian’soratorifyouhavehimatyourcall。AsDiabolushasdonefromtimetotimewithhisgreatandalmostalwayssuccessfuloratorIll-pause。OndifficultoccasionshecamehimselfonthesceneandIll-pausewithhim。OnsuchdifficultoccasionsasintheGardenofEden；aswhenNoahwastoldtomakehasteandbuildanark；asalsowhenAbrahamwastoldtomakehasteandleavehisfather’shouse；whenJacobwasbidrememberandpaythevowhehadmadewhenhistroublewasuponhim；asalsowhenJosephhadtofleeforwhatwasbetterthanlife；andonthatmemorableoccasionwhenDavidsentJoaboutagainstRabbah，butDavidtarriedstillatJerusalem。Onalltheseessential，first-

class，anddifficultoccasionstheoldserpentbroughtupIll-

pause。AsalsowhenourLordwasinthewilderness；whenHesetHisfacetogouptoJerusalem；whenHesawcertainGreeksamongthemthatcameuptothepassover；asalsoagainandagainintheGarden。Asalsooncrucialoccasionsinyourownlife。Aswhenyouhadbeentoldnottoeat，nottotouch，andnoteventolookattheforbiddenfruit，thenIll-pause，thedevil’sorator，cametoyouandsaidthatitwasatreetobedesired。And，youshallnotsurelydie。AsalsowhenyouweremovedtoterrorandtotearsunderaSabbath，orunderasermon，oratsomedeath-bed，oronyourownsick-bed——Ill-pausegotyoutoputofftillamoreconvenientseasonyouradmittedneedofrepentanceandreformationandpeacewithGod。OnsuchdifficultoccasionsasthesethedeviltookIll-pausetohelphimwithyou，andtheresult，fromthedevil’spointofview，hasjustifiedhisconfidenceinhisorator。

WhenIll-pausegetshisnewhonourspaidhiminhell；whenthereisanewjoyinhelloveranothersinnerthathasnotyetrepented，yournamewillbeheardsoundingamongtheinfernalcheers。Justthinkofyourbaptismalnameandyourpetnameathomegivingthemjoyto-nightattheirsupperinhell！Andyetonewouldnotatfirstsightthinkthatsuchtriumphsandsuchtoasts，suchmedals，andclasps，andgartersweretobewononearthorinhelljustbysayingsuchsimple-soundingandsuchcommonplacethingsasthoseareforwhichIll-pausereceiveshisdecorations。’Taketime，’hesays。’Yes，’headmits，’butthereisnosuchhurry；to-morrowwilldo；nextyearwilldo；afteryouareoldwilldoquiteaswell。Thedarknessshallcoveryou，andyoursinwillnotfindyouout。Christdiedforsin，anditisafaithfulsayingthatHisbloodwillcleanseyoulateronfromallthissin。’Everydayandwell-knownwords，indeed，butatrueoratorisseeninnothingmorethaninthis，thathecantakeupwhateverybodyknowsandsays，andputitsoastocarryeverybodycaptive。OneofQuintilian’sownoratorshassaidthatagreatspeakeronlygivesbacktohishearersinfloodwhattheyhavealreadygiventohiminvapour。

3。’Iwasalwayspleased，’saysCalvin，’withthatsayingofChrysostom，”Thefoundationofourphilosophyishumility”；andyetmorepleasedwiththatofAugustine:”As，”sayshe，”therhetoricianbeingasked，Whatwasthefirstthingintherulesofeloquence？heanswered，Pronunciation；whatwasthesecond？

Pronunciation；whatwasthethird？andstillheanswered，Pronunciation。SoifyouwouldaskmeconcerningthepreceptsoftheChristianreligion，Iwouldanswer，firstly，secondly，thirdly，andforever，Humility。”’AndwhenIll-pauseopenedhiselocutionaryschoolfortheyoungoratorsofhell，heisreportedtohavesaidthistotheminhisopeningaddress，’Thereareonlythreethingsinmyschool，’hesaid；’threerules，andnomoretobecalledrules。ThefirstisDelay，thesecondisDelay，andthethirdisDelay。Studytheartofdelay，mysons；makeallyourstudiestotellonhowtomakethefoolsdelay。Onlygetthosetowhomyourmastersendsyoutodelay，andyouwillnotneedtoenvymemylaurels；youwillsoonhaveashiningcrownofyourown。Getthefathertodelayteachinghislittleboyhowtopray。Gethimonanypretextyoucaninventtoputoffspeakinginprivatetohissonabouthissoul。Gethimtodelegateallthattotheminister。

AndthenbyhookorbycrookgetthatsonashegrowsuptoputofftheLord’sSupper。Andafterthatyouwilleasilygethimtoputoffpurityandprayertillheisamarriedmanandattheheadofahouse。Onlygettheideaofamoreconvenientseasonwellintotheirheads，andtheirgameisup，andyourspursarewon。Taketheirarminyours，asIusedtodo，attheirchurchdoor，ifyouarepostedthere，andsaytothemastheycomeoutthatto-morrowwillbetimeenoughtogivewhattheyhadthoughtofgivingwhiletheywerestillintheirpewandtheministerormissionarywasstillinthepulpit。Only，asyouvalueyourmaster’spraisesandtheapplauseofallthisplace，keepthem，atanycost，fromstrikingwhiletheironishot。Letthemfilltheirhearts，andtheirmouthstoo，ifitgivesthemanycomfort，withthebestintentions；only，myscholars，rememberthatthebeginningandmiddleandendofyourofficeisbyhookorbycrooktosecuredelay。’AndagreatcropofyoungoratorssprangupreadyfortheirworkunderthatteachingandoutofthepersuasionaryschoolofIll-pause。Infine，Mansouldesiredsometimeinwhichtoprepareitsanswer。’

Therearemanymenamongourselveswhohavebeenbedevilledoutoftheirbestlife，outofthesalvationoftheirsouls，andoutofallthatconstitutesandaccompaniessalvationnowformanyyears。

Andstilltheirsin-deceivedheartsaresayingtothemto-night，Taketime！Formanyyears，everynewyear，everybirthday，and，foralongtime，everyCommunion-day，theywerejustabouttobedonewiththeirbesettingsin；andnowalltheyearsliebehindthem，onelongdownwardroadallpaved，downtothisSabbathnight，withthebestintentions。And，still，asifthatwerenotenough，thatsamevarletissquatattheirear。Well，myverymiserablebrother，youhavelongtalkedabouttheendofanoldyearandthebeginningofanewyearasbeingyoursettimeforrepentanceandforreformation。Letalltheweightofthosesomanyremorsefulyearsfallonyourheartatthecloseofthisyear，andatlastcompelyoutotakethestepthatshouldhavebeentaken，oh！somanyunhappyyearsago！Gostraighthomethen，to-night，shutyourdoor，and，aftersomanydesecratedSabbathnights，Godwillstillmeetyouinyoursecretchamber。AssoonasyoushutyourdoorGodwillbewithyou，andyouwillbewithGod。WithGOD！Thinkofit，mybrother，andthethingisdone。WithGOD！AndthentellHimall。Andifanyoneknocksatyourdoor，saythatthereisSomeOnewithyouto-night，andthatyoucannotcomedown。AndcontinuetillyouhavetolditalltoGod。Heknowsitallalready；butthatisoneofIll-pause’ssophistriesstillinyourheart。TellyourFatheritall。TellHimhowmanyyearsitis。

TellHimallthatyousowellrememberoverallthosewild，miserable，mad，remorsefulyears。TellHimthatyouhavenothadonereallyhappy，onereallysatisfieddayallthoseyears，andtellHimthatyouhavespentall，andarenownolongerayoungman；youthandhealthandself-respectandself-commandareallgone，tillyouareashipwreckratherthanaman。AndtellHimthatifHewilltakeyoubackthatyouareto-nightatHisfeet。

4。’Weseldomovercomeanyoneviceperfectly，’complainsA

Kempis。And，again，’Ifonlyeverynewyearwewouldrootoutbutonevice。’Well，now，whatdoyousaytothat，mytrueandverybrethren？Whatdoyousaytothat？Hereweare，byGod’sgraceandlong-sufferingtousward，neartheendofanotheryear，anotherviciousyear；andwhyhavewebeenbornewiththroughsomanyviciousyearsbutthatweshouldnowceasefromviceandbegintolearnvirtue？WhyarewehereoverIll-pausethisSabbathnight？

Why，butthatweshouldshakeoffthatvarletliarbeforeanothernewyear。ThatisthewholereasonwhywehavebeensparedtoseethisSabbathnight。Goddecreeditforusthatweshouldhavethistextandthisdiscoursehereto-night，andthatisthereasonwhyyouandIhavebeensounaccountablysparedsolong。Letusselectonevicefortheaxethento-night，andgiveGodinheaventhesatisfactionofseeingthatHislong-sufferingwithushasnotbeenwhollyinvain。Letuslaytheaxeatonevicefromthisnight。

Andwhatonefromamongsomanyshallitbe？Whatisthemockeryofpreachingifapreacherdoesnotpractise？And，accordingly，I

haveselectedoneviceoutofmythicketfornextyear。Willyoudothesame？ThesecretoftheLordiswiththemthatfearHim。

Justmakeyourselectionandkeepittoyourself，atleasttillyouareablethistimenextyeartosaytous——Come，allyethatfearGod，andIwilltellyouwhatHehathdoneformysoul。Yes，comeon，andfromthisdayallyourdaysonearth，andallthedaysofeternity，youwillthankGodforJohnBunyanandhisHolyWarandhisIll-pause。Makeyourselection，then，foryournewaxe。

Attacksomeonesinatthissoauspiciousseason。SwearbeforeGod，andunknowntoallmen——swearsuredeath，andthatwithoutanymoredelay，tothatselectedsin。Neveronce，allyourdays，dothatsinagain。Determineneveroncetodoitagain。Determinethatbyprayer，bysecret，andatthesametimeoutspoken，prayeronyourknees。DetermineitbyfaithinthecleansingbloodandrenewingspiritofJesusChrist。Determineitbyfearofinstantdeath，andbysurehopeofeverlastinglife。Determineitbyreasons，andmotives，andarguments，andencouragementsknowntono-onebutyourself，andtobesuspectedbynohumanbeing。Namethedoomedsin。Denounceit。Execrateit。Executeit。Drawalineacrossyourshortanduncertainlife，andsaytothatbesettingandpresumptuoussin，Hitherto，andnofurther！Donotsayyoucannotdoit。Youcanifyouonlywill。Youcanifyouonlychoose。Andsmitingdownthatonesinwillloosenandshakedownthewholeevilfabricofsin。BreakingbutthatonelinkwillbreakthewholeofSatan’ssnareandevilfetter。HereisA

Kempis’sforestofvicesoutofwhichheheweddownoneeveryyear。

Restlesslust，outwardsenses，emptyphantoms，alwayslongingtoget，alwayssparingtogive，carelessastotalk，unwillingtositsilent，eagerforfood，wakefulfornews，wearyofagoodbook，quicktoanger，easyofoffenceatmyneighbour，andtooreadytojudgehim，toomerryoverprosperity，andtoogloomy，fretful，andpeevishinadversity；sooftenmakinggoodrulesformyfuturelife，andcomingsolittlespeedwiththemall，andsoon。And，infacingevensuchaterriblethicketasthat，letnotevenanoldmanabsolutelydespair。Atforty，atsixty，atthreescoreandten，letnotanoldpenitentdespair。OnlytakeaxeinhandandseeifthesundoesnotstandstilluponGibeon，andthemooninthevalleyofAjalontillyouhaveavengedyourselfonyourenemies。

Andalwayswhenyoustoptowipeyourbrow，andtowhettheedgeofyouraxe，andtowetyourlipswithwater，keeponsayingthingslikethoseofanothergreatsinnerdeepinhisthicketofvice，saythis:OGod，hesaid，Thouhastnotcutoffasaweavermylife，norfromdayeventonighthastThoumadeanendofme。ButThouhastvouchsafedtomelifeandbreatheventothishourfromchildhood，youth，andhithertoevenuntooldage。Heholdethoursoulinlife，andsufferethnotourfeettoslide，rescuingmefromperils，sicknesses，poverty，bondage，publicshame，evilchances；

keepingmefromperishinginmysins，andwaitingpatientlyformyfullconversion。GlorybetoThee，OLord，glorytoThee，forThineincomprehensibleandunimaginablegoodnesstowardmeofallsinnersfarandawaythemostunworthy。ThevoicesandtheconcertofvoicesofangelsandmenbetoThee；theconcertofallthysaintsinheavenandofallThycreaturesinheavenandonearth；

andofme，beneaththeirfeetanunworthyandwretchedsinner，Thyabjectcreature；mypraisealso，now，inthisdayandhour，andeverydaytillmylastbreath，andtilltheendofthisworld，andthentoalleternity，wheretheyceasenotsaying，ToHimwholovedus，Amen！

CHAPTERXIII——MR。PENNY-WISE-AND-POUND-FOOLISH，ANDMR。GET-I’-THE-

HUNDRED-AND-LOSE-I’-THE-SHIRE

’For，whatshallitprofitaman，ifheshallgainthewholeworld，andlosehisownsoul？’——OurLord。

Thiswholeworldisthepenny，andourownsoulsarethepound。

Thiswholeworldisthehundred，whileheavenitselfistheshire。

Andthequestionthiseveningis，Arewewiseinthepennyandfoolishinthepound？And，arewegettinginthehundredandlosingintheshire？

1。Well，then，tobeginatthebeginning，wearealreadybeguntobepenny-wiseandpound-foolishwithourchildrenwhenwearesoparticularwiththemabouttheirsayingtheirlittleprayersnightandmorning，whileallthetimewearesoinattentiveandsoindolenttoexplaintothemhowtheyaretopray，whattheyaretoprayfor，andhowtheyaretowaitandhowlongtheyaretowaitforthethingstheyprayfor。Then，again，wearepenny-wiseandpound-foolishwithourchildrenwhenwetrainthemupintoalltheproprietiesandetiquettesoffamilyandsociallife，andatthesametimepaysolittleattentiontotheirinwardlifeofopeningthoughtandquickeningdesireandawakeningpassion。Whenwearesoeageralsoforourchildrentobegreatwithgreatpeople，withoutmuchregardtothemoralandreligiouscharacterofthosegreatpeople，thenagainwearelikeamanwhomaybewiseforapenny，butiscertainlyafoolforapound。Whenwepreferthegayandthefashionableworldtotheintellectual，thereligious，andthephilanthropicalworldforourchildren，thenweloseboththepennyandthepoundaswell。Almostasmuchaswedowhenweacceptthepennyofwealthandstationandso-calledconnectionforasonoradaughter，inroomofthepoundofcharacter，andintelligence，andpersonalreligion。

Then，again，eveninourownreligiouslifeweareourselvesoftenandnotoriouslywiseinthepennyandfoolishinthepound。As，forinstance，whenwearesoscrupulousandsoconscientiousaboutformsandceremonies，abouttimesandplaces，andsoon。Inshort，thewholeritualthathasrisenuparoundspiritualreligioninallourchurches，fromthatofthePopehimselfouttothatofGeorgeFox——itisallthepennyratherthanthepound。Thisriteandthatceremony；thishabitandthattradition；thisancientandlong-

establishedusage，aswellasthatnewdepartureandthatthreatenedinnovation；——itisall，atitsbest，alwaysthepennyandneverthepound。Satanbusiedmeaboutthelessermattersofreligion，saysJamesFraserofBrea，andmademeneglectthemoresubstantialpoints。HemademetithetoGodmymint，andmyaniseandmycummin，andmanyotherofmyherbs，tomyallbutcompleteneglectofjusticeandmercyandfaithandlove。WhetherthereareanyofthethingsthatBreawouldcallmintandaniseandcumminthataretakinguptoomuchofthetimeofourcontroversially-

mindedmeninallourchurches，highlandandlowland，to-dayisamatterforhumblingthought。Labour，mybrethren，foryourselves，atanyrate，togetyourselvesintothatsaneandsoberhabitofmindthatinstantlyandinstinctivelyputsallmintandallcumminofallkindsintothesecondplace，andalltheweightiermatters，bothoflawandofgospel，intothefirstplace。Iwastedmyselfontoonicepoints，lamentsBreainhisdeep，honest，clear-eyedautobiography。Ididnotproportionmyreligiousthingsaright。

ThelairdofBreadoesnotsayinasmanywordsthathewaswiseinthepennyandfoolishinthepound，butthatisexactlywhathemeans。

Then，again，thenarrowness，thepartiality，thesickliness，andthesqueamishnessofourconsciences，——allthatmakesustobetoooftenpenny-wiseandpound-foolishinourreligiouslife。Awell-

instructed，thoroughlywise，andwell-balancedconscienceisanimmenseblessingtothatmanwhohaspurchasedsuchaconscienceforhimself。ThereisanimmenseandacriminalwasteofconsciencethatgoesonamongsomeofourbestChristianpeoplethroughthewantoflightandspace，room，andbreadth，andbalanceintheirconsciences。Weareallpesteredwithpeopleeverydaywhoarefullofallmannerofchildishscrupulosityandsicklysqueamishnessintheirill-nourished，ill-exercisedconsciences。

Aslongasaman’sconscienceisignorantandweakandsicklyitwill，itmust，spendandwasteitselfonthepennyworthsofreligionand’moralsinsteadofthepounds。Itwilloccupyandtortureitselfwithpointsandpunctilios，jotsandtittles，totheallbuttotaloblivion，andtotheallbutcompleteneglect，ofthesubstanceandtheessenceoftheChristianmind，theChristianheart，andtheChristiancharacter。Thewashingofhands，ofcups，andofpots，wasalltheconsciencethatmultitudeshadinourLord’sday；andmultitudesinourdayscatterandwastetheirconsciencesonthesamethings。Agoodman，anotherwisegoodandadmirableman，willabsolutelyruinanddestroyhisconsciencebypointsandscruplesandtraditionsofmenasfatallyasanotherwillbyalifeofdebauchery。Someoldanddecayedecclesiasticalrubric；someabsolutelyindifferentforminpublicworship；somesmallcasuisticalquestionaboutacreedoracatechism；sometoonicepointofconfessionalinterpretation；themintandaniseandcumminofsuchmatterswillfillandinflameandpoisonaman’smindandheartandconscienceformonthsandforyears，tothetotaldestructionofallthatforwhichchurchesandcreedsexist；

tothetotalsuspense，ifnotthetotalandlastingdestruction，ofsobrietyofmind，balanceandbreadthofjudgment，humility，charity，andahiddenandaholylife。Thepennyofaperverted，partial，andfanaticisedconsciencehasswallowedupthepoundofinstruction，andtruth，andjustice，andbrotherlylove。

2。’Noristhemanwiththelongnameatallinferiortotheother，’saidLucifer，inlayinghisinfernalplotagainstthepeaceandprosperityofMansoul。Now，themanwiththelongnamewasjustMr。Get-i’-the-hundred-and-lose-i’-the-shire。AhundredintheoldcountygeographyofEnglandwasapoliticalsubdivisionofashire，inwhichfivescorefreemenlivedwiththeirfreebornfamilies。Acountyorashirewasdescribedandenumeratedbythepoll-sheriffofthatdayascontainingsomanyenfranchisedhundreds；andthetotalnumberofhundredsmadeupthepoliticalunityoftheshire。Tothisdaywestillhearfromtimetotimeofthe’ChilternHundreds，’whichisadivisionofBuckinghamshirethatbelongs，alongwithitspoliticalfranchise，totheCrown，andwhichisutilisedforCrownpurposesatcertainpoliticalemergencies。Thisproverb，then，togeti’thehundredandlosei’

theshire，isnowquiteplaintous。Youmightcanvasssoastogetahundred，severalhundreds，manyhundredsonyourside，andyetyoumightlosewhenitcametocountingupthewholeshire。

Youmightpossessyourselfofahundredortwoandyetbepoorcomparedwithhimwhopossessedthewholeshire。AndthentheproverbhasbeenpreservedoutoftheoldpoliticallifeofEngland，andhasbeenmoralisedandspiritualisedtousintheHolyWar。Andthusafterto-nightweshallalwayscallthisshrewdproverbtomindwhenwearetemptedtotakeapartattheriskofthewhole；toreceivethisworldatthelossofthenextworld；or，asourLordhasit，togainthewholeworldandtoloseourownsoul。Lot’schoiceofSodomandGomorrah，andEsau’spurchaseofthemessofpottageintheOldTestament；andthenJudas’sthirtypiecesofsilver，andAnaniasandSapphira’spartofthepriceintheNewTestament，areallsomanywell-knowninstancesofgettinginthehundredandlosingintheshire。AndnotEsau’sandLot’sonly，butourownlivesalsohavebeenfulluptoto-dayofthesamefataltransaction。Thishouse，asourLordagainhasit，thisfarm，thismerchandise，thisshop，thisoffice，thissalary，thishonour，thishome——allthisontheonehand，andthenourLordHimself，Hiscall，Hiscause，HisChurch，witheverlastinglifeintheother——whenitissetdownbeforeusinblackandwhiteinthatway，thetransaction，theproposal，thechoiceispreposterous，isinsane，isabsolutelyimpossible。Butpreposterous，insane，absolutelyimpossible，andall，thereitis，inourownlives，inthelivesofoursonsanddaughters，andinthelivesofmultitudesofothermenandothermen’ssonsanddaughtersbesidesours。

Everydayyouwillbetakenin，andyouwillstandbyandseeothermentakeninwiththepresentpennyforthefuturepound:andwiththepoorpeltinghundredunderyoureyeforthefull，far-

extending，andever-enrichingshire。Luciferisalwaysabroadpressingonusinhismalicethepennyonthespot，forthepoundwhichhekeepsoutofsight；hedazzlesoureyeswiththegainofthehundredtillwegnashourteethatthelossoftheshire。

’Hehathinsoothgoodcauseforendlessgrief，Who，fortheloveofthingthatlastethnot，DespoilshimselfforeverofTHATLOVE。’

3。’Whatalsoifwejoinwiththosetwoanothertwoofours，Mr。

Sweet-worldandMr。Present-good，namely，fortheyaretwomenfullofcivilityandcunning。Lettheseengageinthisbusinessforus，andletMansoulbetakenupwithmuchbusiness，andifpossiblewithmuchpleasure，andthisisthewaytogetgroundofthem。LetusbutcumberandoccupyandamuseMansoulsufficiently，andtheywillmaketheircastleawarehouseforgoodsinsteadofagarrisonformenofwar。’Thisdiabolicaladvicewashighlyapplaudedallthroughhelltillallthelesserdevils，whilesettingthemselvestocarryitout，gnashedtheirteethwithenvyandmaliceatLuciferforhavingthoughtofthismasterpieceandforhavinghaditreceivedwithsuchloudacclamation。’Onlygetthem，’sowentonthatsoable，sowell-envied，andsowell-hateddevil，’letusonlygetthosefribblesinnersforanightatatimetoforgettheirmisery。Anditwillnotcostusmuchtodothat。Onlyletusoffertheminoneanother’shousesasupper，adance，apipe，anewspaperfulloftheirownshame，atalefulloftheirownfolly，asillysong，andHewholovedthemwithaneverlastinglovewillsoonseeofthetravailofHissoulinthem！’Yes，myfellow-

sinners，Luciferandhisinfernalcrewknowusanddespiseusandentrapusatverylittletrouble，tillHewhotravailedforusonthetreecoversHisfaceinheavenandweepsoverus。Aslongaswerememberourmisery，allthemind，andallthemalice，andallthesleeplessnessinhellcannottouchahairofourhead。Butwhenbyanyemissaryandopportunityeitherfromeartharoundusorfromhellbeneathusweforanothernightforgetourmisery，itisalloverwithus。Andyet，totellthetruth，wenevercanquiteforgetourmisery。Wearetoomiserableevertoforgetourmisery。

InthefullsteamofLucifer’sbest-spreadsupper，amidtheshoutsoflaughterandtheclappingofhands，andalltheoutwardappearanceofacompleteforgetfulnessofourmisery，yetitisnotso。Itisfarfrombeingso。Ourmiseryisfartoodeep-seatedforallthedevil’sdrugs。Only，togiveLuciferhisdue，wedosometimes，underhim，sogetoutoftouchwiththetrueconsolationforourmiserythat，nightafternight，throughcumber，throughpursuitofpleasure，throughthetimebeingtakenupwiththeseandotherlikethings，wedosofarforgetourmiseryastoliedownwithoutdealingwithit；butonlytohaveitawakenus，andtakeourarmasitsownforanothermiserableday。Yes；thoughnevercompletelysuccessful，yetthismasterpieceofhellissufficientlysuccessfulforSatan’ssubtlestpurposes；whichare，nottomakeusforgetourmisery，buttomakeusputitawayfromusatthenaturalandproperhourforfacingitandfordealingwithitintheonlyproperandsuccessfulway。But，wholly，anynight，orevenpartiallyforafewnightsatatime，toforgetourmisery——

no，withallthysubtletyofintellectandwithallthyhell-filledheart，OLucifer，thatistousimpossible！Forgetourmisery！O

devilofdevils，no！BlessGod，thatcanneverbewithus！Ourmiseryistoodeep，toodreadful，tooacute，tooall-consumingevertobeforgottenbyusevenforanhour。Ourmiseryistooterribleforthee，withallthyoverthrownintellectandallthymalice-

filledheart，evertounderstand！Didstthouforonemidnighthourtasteit，andsounderstandit，thentherewouldbethesamehopefortheethat，IblessGod，therestillisforme！

Letusbendallourstrengthandallourwittothis，wentonLucifer，tomaketheircastleawarehouseinsteadofagarrison。

Letussetourselvesandallourallies，heexplainedtotheduller-wittedamongthedevils，tomaketheirheartsashop，——someofthem，youknow，areshopkeepers；abank，——someofthemarebankers；afarm，——someofthemarefarmers；astudy，——someofthemarestudents；apulpit，——someofthemliketopreach；atable，——

someofthemaregluttons；adrawing-room，——someofthemarebusybodieswhoforgettheirownmiseryinretailingotherpeople’smiseryfromhousetohouse。Bewiseasserpents，saidtheoldserpent；attend，eachseveralfallenangelofyou，tohisownspecialcharge。Studyyourman。Gettothebottomofyourman。

Followhimabout；neverlethimoutofyoursight；besurebeforeyoubegin，besureyouhavethejointinhisharness，thespotinhisheel，thechinkinhiswallfullinyoureye。Idonotsurelyneedtotellyounottoscatteroursnaresforsoulsatrandom，hewenton。GivetheministerhisstudyBible，thestudenthisclassic，themerchanthisledger，thegluttonhiswell-dresseddishandhiselectyearofwine，thegossiphersweetsecret，andtheflirtherfool。Studythemtilltheyareallnakedandopentoyoursharpeyes。Findoutwhatbestmakesthemforgetevenforonenighttheirmiseryandplythemwiththat。IfIeverseethatsoulIhavesettheeoveronhiskneesonaccountofhismiseryIshallflingtheeonthespotintothebottomlesspit。Andifanyofyoushallanywherediscoveraman——andtherearesuchmen——amanwhoforgetshismiserythroughalwaysthinkingandspeakingaboutit，onlykeephiminhispulpit，andoffhisknees，andnomansosafeforhellashe。Therearefools，andtherearedouble-dyedfools，andthatmanisthechiefofthem。Givehimhisfillofsinandmisery；lethimluxuriatehimselfinsinandmisery；only，keephimthere，andIwillnotforgetthymostexcellentservicetome。

Makealltheirhearts，soLucifersummedup，ashedismissedhisobsequiousdevils，makealltheirseveralheartseachawarehouse，ashop，afarm，apulpit，alibrary，anursery，asupper-table，achamberofwantonness——letitbetoeachmanjustafterhisownheart。Only，keep——asyoushallanswerforit，——keepfaithandhopeandcharityandinnocenceandpatienceandespeciallyprayerfulnessoutoftheirhearts。Andwhenthismycounselisfulfilled，andwhenthepitclosesoverthycharge，Ishallpaytheethywages，andpromotetheetohonour。Andbeforehewaswelldonetheywereallattheirposts。

CHAPTERXIV——THEDEVIL’SLASTCARD

’Satanhimselfistransformedintoanangeloflight’——Paul。

WodrowhasananecdoteinhisdelightfulAnalectawhichshallintroduceusintooursubjectto-night。Mr。JohnMenzieswasaverypiousanddevotedpastor；hewasalearnedmanalso，andwellseeninthePopishandintheArminiancontroversies。AndtotheendofhislifehewasmuchesteemedofthepeopleofAberdeenasaforemostpreacherofthegospel。Andyet，’OhtohaveonemoreSabbathinmypulpit！’hecriedoutonhisdeath-bed。’Whatwouldyouthendo？’askedsomeonewhosatathisbedside。’Iwouldpreachtomypeopleonthetremendousdifficultyofsalvation！’

exclaimedthedyingman。

1。Now，thefirstdifficultythatstandsinthewayofoursalvationisthestupendousmassofguiltthathasaccumulateduponallofus。Ourguiltissogreatthatwedarenotthinkofit。Itistoohorribletobelievethatweshalleverbecalledtoaccountforoneinathousandofit。Itcrushesourmindswithaperfectstuporofhorror，whenforamomentwetrytoimagineadayofjudgmentwhenweshallbejudgedforallthedeedsthatwehavedoneinthebody。Heart-beatafterheart-beat，breathafterbreath，hourafterhour，dayafterday，yearafteryear，andallfullofsin；allnothingbutsinfromourmother’swombtoourgrave。Sometimesoneoutstandingactofsinhasquiteoverwhelmedus。Butbeforelongthatawfulsinfelloutofsightandoutofmind。Othersinsofthesamekindsucceededit。Oursenseofsin，oursenseofguiltwassoonextinguishedbyalifeofsin，till，atthepresentmomenttheaccumulatedandtremendousloadofoursinandguiltisnomorefeltbyusthanwefeelthetremendousloadoftheatmosphere。But，allthetime，doesnotourgreatguiltliesealeddownuponus？Becausewearetoosearedandtoostupefiedtofeelit，isitthereforenotthere？Becauseweneverthinkofit，doesthatprovethatbothGodandmanhaveforgivenandforgottenit？ShalltheJudgeofalltheearthdorightinthematterofallmen’sguiltbutours？Doestheapostle’swarningnotholdinourcase？——hisawfulwarningthatweshallallstandbeforethejudgment-seat？Andisitonlyastrongfigureofspeechthatthebooksshallbeopenedtillweshallcrytothemountainstofallonusandtotherockstocoverus？Ohno！thetruthis，thehalfhasnotbeentoldusofthespeechlessstupefactionthatshallfallonuswhenthetrumpetshallsoundandwhenAlpuponAlpofaggravatedguiltshallriseuphighasheavenbetweenusandoursalvation。Difficultyisnotthenameforguiltlikeours。

Impossibilityisthebetternameweshouldalwaysknowitby。

2。Anotherdifficultyorimpossibilitytooursalvationrisesoutoftheawfulcorruptionandpollutionofourhearts。Butisthereanyuseenteringonthatsubject？IsthereonemaninahundredwhoevenknowstherudimentsofthelanguageImustnowspeakin？

Isthereonemaninahundredinwhosemindanyideaarises，andinwhoseheartanyemotionorpassioniskindled，asIproceedtospeakofcorruptionofnatureandpollutionofheart？Idonotsupposeit。Idonotpresumeuponit。Idonotbelieveit。ThatmostmiserablemanwhoisletdownofGod’sHolySpiritintothepitofcorruptionthatisinhisownheart，——tohimhiscorruption，addedtohisguilt，causesasadnessthatnothinginthisworldcanreallyrelieve；itcausesadeepandanincreasingmelancholy，suchastheninetyandninewhoneednorepentanceandfeelnopollutionknownothingof。Alllivingmenfleefromthecorruptionofanunburiedcorpse。Thelivingatoncesetabouttoburytheirdead。

’Iamastrangerandasojourneramongyou，’saidAbrahamtothechildrenofHeth；’givemeapossessionofaburying-placeamongyouthatImayburymydeadoutofmysight。’ButPaulcouldfindnograveinthewholeworldinwhichtoburyoutofhissightthebodyofdeathtowhichhewaschainedfast；thatbodyofsinanddeathwhichalwaysmakestheholiestofmenthemostwretchedofmen，——tilltheloathingandthedisgustandthemiserythatfilledtheapostle’sheartaretobeunderstoodbybutoneinathousandevenofthepeopleofGod。

3。Andthen，asiftomakeoursalvationaveryhyperboleofimpossibility，theallbutalmightypowerofindwellingsincomesin。Haveyouevertriedtobreakloosefromtheoldfetterofanevilhabit？HaveyoueversaidonaNewYear’sDaywithThomasA

Kempisthatthisyearyouwouldrootthatappetite，——namingit，——

outofyourbody，andthatvice，——namingit，——outofyourheart？

HaveyoueverswornattheCommuniontablethatyouwouldwatchandpray，andsetawatchonyourevilheartagainstthatenvy，andthatrevenge，andthatill-will，andthatdistaste，dislike，andantipathy？Thenyourministerwillnotneedtocomebackfromhisdeath-bedtopreachtoyouonthedifficultyofsalvation。

4。AndyetsuchisthegraceofGod，suchistheworkofChrist，andsuchisthepowerandthepatienceoftheHolyGhostthat，ifwehadonlyanadequateministryinourpulpits，andanassistingliteratureinourhomes，eventhisthree-foldimpossibilitywouldbeovercomeandwewouldbesaved。Butiftheministrythatissetoverusisanignorant，indolent，incompetent，self-deceivedministry；ifourownchosen，set-up，andmaintainedministerishimselfanuninstructed，unspiritual，unsanctifiedman；andifthebookswebuyandborrowandreadareallsecular，unspiritual，superficial，ephemeral，silly，stupid，impertinentbooks，thentheimpossibilityofoursalvationisabsolute，andweareasgoodasinhellalreadywithallourguiltandallourcorruptionforeveronourheads。Now，thatwastheexactcaseofMansoulintheallegoryoftheHolyWaratoneofthelastandacuteststagesofthatwar。Or，rather，thatwouldhavebeenherexactcasehadDiabolusgothisowndeep，diabolicalwaywithher。Forwhatdidherancientenemydobutsoundaparleytillhehadplayedhislastcardintheseglozinganddeceitfulwords；——’Imyself，’hehadthefacetosaytoEmmanuel，’ifThouwiltraiseThysiegeandleavethetowntome，Iwill，atmyownpropercostandcharge，setupandmaintainasufficientministry，besideslecturers，inMansoul，whoshallshowtoMansoulthattransgressionstandsinthewayoflife；theministersIshallsetupshallalsopressthenecessityofreformationaccordingtoThyholylaw。’Andevennow，withthetwopulpits，God’sandthedevil’s，andthetwopreachers，andthetwopastors，inourowncity，——howmanyofyouseeanydifference，orthinkthattheoneisanyworseoranybetterthantheother？

Or，indeed，thattheministryofthelastcardisnotthebetterofthetwotoyourinterestandtoyourtaste，tothestateofyourmindandtotheneedofyourheart？Letusproceed，then，tolookatMansoul’stwopulpitsandhertwolectureshipsastheystandportrayedonthedevil’slastcardandinEmmanuel’scrowningcommission；thatis，ifoureyesaresharpenoughtoseeanydifference。

5。Thefirstthing，then，onthedevil’slastcardwasthis，’A

sufficientministry，besideslecturers，inMansoul。’Now，asufficientministryhasneverbeenseeninthetrueChurchofChristsinceherministrybegan。Andyetshehashadgreatministersinhertime。AfterChristHimself，PaulwasthegreatestandthebestministertheChurchofChristhaseverhad。Butsuchwasthetranscendentgreatnessofhisoffice，suchwereitstremendousresponsibilities，suchwereitsmagnificentopportunitiesanditsincessantdemands，suchwereitsceaselesscallstoconsecration，tocross-bearing，tocrucifixion，tomoreandmoreinwardnessofholiness，andtohigherandhigherheightsofheavenly-mindedness，thattheapostlewasfaintocryoutcontinually，Whoissufficientforthesethings！ButsowelldidPaullearnthatgospelwhichhepreachedtoothersthatamidallhisinsufficiencyhewasabletohearhisMastersayingtohimeveryday，Mygraceissufficientforthee，and，Mystrengthismadeperfectinthyweakness！AndtocomedowntothetrulyPaulinesuccessionofministersinourownlandsandinourownchurches，whatpreachersandwhatpastorsChristgavetoKidderminster，andtoBedford，andtoDownandConnor，andtoSodorandMan，andtoAnwoth，andtoEttrick，andtoNewEngland，andtoSt。Andrews，andplacestoomanytomention。Withallitsinfirmityandallitsinefficiency，whatatrulyheavenlypowerthepulpitiswhenitisfilledbyamanofGodwhogiveshiswholemindandheart，hiswholetimeandthoughttoit，andtothepastoratethatliesaroundit。Hismindmaybesmall，andhisheartmaybefullofcorruption；histimemaybefullofmanifoldinterruptions，andhisbeststudymayyieldbutapoorresult；butifHeaveneverhelpsthosewhohonestlyhelpthemselves，thenthatiscertainlythecaseintheChristianministry。Letthechoicestofourchildren，then，besoughtoutandconsecratedtothatservice；letourmostgiftedandmostgracious-mindedsonsbesenttowheretheyshallbebestpreparedforthepulpitandthepastorate，——tillbytheblessingofherHeadallthecongregationsandalltheparishes，allthepulpitsandallthelectureshipsintheChurch，shallbeonegardenoftheLord。AndthenweshallescapethatlastcurseofaministrysuchasJohnBunyansawallaroundhimintheEnglandofhisday，andwhich，hadhebeenaliveintheEnglandandScotlandofourday，hewouldhavepaintedagainincolourswehaveneithertheboldnessnortheskilltomixnortoputonthecanvas。Butletallministersputiteverydaytothemselvestowhatdescentandsuccessiontheybelong。LetthoseevenwhobelievethattheyhavewithinthemselvesthebestsealandevidenceattainableherethattheyhavebeenordainedofEmmanuel，letthemallthemorelookwelleverydayandeverySabbathdayhowmuchofanothermaster’sdoctrineanddiscipline，motives，andmannersstillmixesupwiththeirbestministry。Andthesurestsealthat，withallourinsufficiency，wearestilltheministersofChristwillbesetonusbythis，thattheharderweworkandthemoreinsecretwepray，themoreandeverthemoreshallwediscoverandconfessourshamefulinsufficiency，andthemoreshallwe，tillthedayofourdeath，everydaystillbeginourministryoflabourandofprayeranew。Letusdothat，forthedevil，withallhisboldnessandallhissubtilty，neverthrewacardfirstorlastlikethat。

6。AfterofferingasufficientministrytoMansoul，andthat，too，athisownpropercostandcharge，Diabolusundertookalsotoseethattheabsolutenecessityofareformationshouldbepreachedandpressedfromthepulpithesetup。Now，reformationisallgoodandnecessary，initsowntimeandplaceandorder，butGodsentHisSonnottobeaReformerbuttobeaRedeemer。Johncametopreachreformation，butJesuscametopreachregeneration。Exceptamanbebornagain，JesuspersistentlypreachedtoNicodemus。

’Diditbeginwithregeneration？’wasDr。Duncan’sreplywhenasermononsanctificationwaspraisedinhishearing。AndlikesomuchelsethatthelearnedandprofoundDr。JohnDuncansaidontheologyandphilosophy，thatquestionwentatoncetotherootofthematter。Forsanctification，thatistosay，salvation，isnomerereformationofmoralsorrefinementofmanners。Itisamaximinsoundmoralsthatthemoralityofthemanmustprecedethemoralityofhisactions。AndmuchmoreisittheevangelicallawofJesusChrist。Makethetreegood，ourLawgiveraphoristicallysaid。Reformationandsanctificationdiffer，saysDr。Hodge，ascleanclothesdifferfromacleanheart。Now，DiaboluswasallforcleanclotheswhenhesawthatMansoulwasslippingoutofhishands。Hewouldhaveallthedrunkardstobecomemoderatedrinkers，ifnottotalabstainers；andallthesensualiststobecome，ifneedbe，ascetics；andallthosewhohadsowedouttheirwildoatstosettledownasheadsofhouses，andmembers，ifnotministersandelders，inhisset-upchurch。Butwearetoowelltaught，surely；wehavegonetoolongtoanotherchurchthanthatwhichDiaboluseversetsup，tobesatisfiedwithhissuperficialdoctrineandhisskin-deepdiscipline。Weknow，dowenot，thatwemaydoallthathislastcardasksustodo，andyetbeasfar，ay，andfarfartherfromsalvationthantheheathenarewhoneverheardthename。AhundredScripturestellusthat；andourheartsknowtoomuchoftheirownplagueandcorruptionevernowtobesatisfiedshortofafullregenerationandacompletesanctification。’Createinmeacleanheartandrenewarightspiritwithinme。ThesacrificesofGodareabrokenspirit。AndtheveryGodofpeacesanctifyyouwholly。AndIprayGodyourwholespiritandsoulandbodybepreservedblamelessuntothecomingofourLordJesusChrist。’ThelastcardhasmanyScripturescunninglycopieduponit；butnotthese。ItspulpitoratorshandlemanyScripturetexts，butneverthese。

7。Yes，thedevilcomesinevenherewiththatsolate，sosubtle，andsocontradictingcardofhis。Whereisitinthisworldthathedoesnotcomeinwithsomeofhiscards？Andhecomesinhereasaveryangelofevangelicallight。HeputsonthegownofGenevahere，andheascendsEmmanuel’sownmaintainedpulpithere，andfromthatpulpithepreaches，andwherehesopreacheshepreachesnothingelsebuttheveryhighestarticlesoftheReformedfaith。Carnal-securitywasstrongonassurance，noothermaninMansoulwassostrong；andthedevilwillletuspreachersbeasstrongandasoftenonelection，andjustification，andindefectiblegrace，andtheperseveranceofthesaintsasweandourpeoplelike，ifwebutkeepinseasonandoutofseasononthesetranscendentsubjectsandkeepoffmoralsandmanners，walkandconversation，conductandcharacter。InHooker’sandTravers’

day，ThomasFullertellsus，theTemplepulpitpreachedpureCanterburyinthemorningandpureGenevaintheafternoon。AndyouwillgetthehighestCalvinismoffthelastcardinonepulpit，andthestrictestandmosturgentmoralityoffthesamecardinanother；butnever，ifthedevilcanhelpit，neverbothinoneandthesamepulpit；neverbothinoneandthesamesermon；andneverbothinoneandthesameminister。YouhaveallheardofthedifficultythevoyagerhadinsteeringbetweenScyllaandCharybdisintheLatinadage。Well，thetruepreacher’sdifficultyisjustlikethat。Indeed，itisbeyondthewitofman，andittakesallthewitofGod，arighttounitethedoctrineofourutterinabilitywiththecompaniondoctrineofourstrictresponsibility；freegracewithafullreward；thecrossofChristonceforall，withthesaint’scontinualcrucifixion；theSaviour’sbloodwiththesinner’s；andatonementwithattainment；inshort，salvationwithoutworkswithnosalvationwithoutworks。Deftsteersmanasthedevilis，heneveryettookhisshipclearthroughthoseCharybdicpassages。